Veterinary and human healthcare professionals often use the term “obese” to describe a patient with excess body fat. Calling a patient “obese” has significant negative connotations and can be stigmatizing and emotionally triggering.

In veterinary medicine, labeling a pet as “obese” can imply that the owner has failed to provide proper care and nutrition, potentially causing feelings of unease and criticism. It shifts the focus from underlying physiological causes such as genetics, microbiome, hormonal imbalances, and other biological factors to lifestyle choices like exercise and diet.

On the other hand, the proposed terminology, such as “the dog has obesity, ” “a cat having obesity,” or “a pet with obesity,” focuses on the disease state rather than the physical appearance, thereby avoiding blame on the pet owner's actions or an animal’s behavior or inherent characteristic.

A recent study by the Association for Pet Obesity (APOP) sheds light on pet weight concerns in the United States. The 2022 U.S. Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey found a staggering 61% of cats and 59% of dogs are overweight or have obesity, indicating a widespread problem with pet health. However, a survey conducted in Winter 2023 among pet owners and veterinary professionals showed a lack of awareness about this issue. Only 28% of cat owners and 17% of dog owners acknowledged that their pets were overweight, with 84% of dogs and 70% of cat owners assessing their pets’ body condition as healthy.

“Over the past two decades, we have consistently observed a significant discrepancy between the prevalence of pet obesity and pet owners' recognition of this issue,” observed APOP Founder and President. Dr. Ernie Ward. “Pet owners reporting that ‘pet obesity is a problem, but not for my pet’ continues to be a communication hurdle for veterinary professionals. While the causes of obesity in animals are multifactorial, awareness of an unhealthy body condition is the first step in treating the disease.”